President Donald Trump warned that the United States would "decimate" Iran if Tehran did not accept U.S. terms to end the war and address its nuclear program.
This escalation comes as the U.S. seeks to leverage maximum pressure to secure a comprehensive agreement on Iran's nuclear capabilities and regional conflict. The threat suggests a potential return to high-intensity military action if diplomatic efforts fail.
Trump made the remarks on Tuesday, April 25, 2026 [1], while boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida [2]. The president said that the U.S. possesses a strategic advantage in the current negotiations.
"They’ll either do the right thing, or we’ll finish the job," Trump said [3]. He said, "We have all the cards" [4].
Reports regarding the president's immediate itinerary and the current status of negotiations vary. One report indicated the president was boarding the aircraft for a high-stakes trip to China [3]. Another account indicated he was boarding the plane at the Palm Beach airport on his way back [2].
There are also conflicting reports regarding the progress of a deal. While the president issued warnings of decimation, other reports said that Trump claimed a "total and complete victory" [5] following an agreement for a two-week cease-fire deal intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz [6].
Despite the mention of a temporary cease-fire, the administration's primary objective remains a permanent resolution to the nuclear program, and the cessation of hostilities. The contrast between the reported cease-fire and the threat to "finish the job" highlights the volatile nature of the current diplomatic standoff.
“"They’ll either do the right thing, or we’ll finish the job."”
The conflicting reports of a two-week cease-fire and threats of total decimation suggest a strategy of 'carrot and stick' diplomacy. By alternating between claiming victory and threatening military escalation, the U.S. administration is attempting to force Iran into a deal that satisfies U.S. nuclear and security requirements before any temporary truce expires.
